PUBLIC OUTDOOR PAINTED SCULPTURE CONSERVATION TREATMENT Los Angeles 323.377.8425 Miami 305.573.7011 www.rlaconservation.com Before Treatment After Treatment Client The Frost Museum of Art Piece Alexander Liberman, Argosy Date 1980 Location Florida International University – Modesto A. Maidique Campus Project Dates December 2014 & February 2015 Materials Painted Steel Services Provided Conditions Assessment, Treatment Planning, Maintenance Plan The Frost Art Museum retained RLA to repaint Alexander Liberman’s Argosy, a monumental sculpture in the characteristic style of this artist. Though it had been repainted as recently as 2010, the sculpture had faded badly in the Florida sun and the paint was blanched and streaky. The sculpture had been struck by an egg, and the area hit had faded differentially. Additional conservation issues included corrosion of the footings, and an overall haze on the surface of the work. The structural stability of the piece was evaluated with a preservation engineer, who recommended having the footings repaired by welding. RLA supervised the lifting of the sculpture by an art handler and a certified welder making repairs to the engineer’s specifications. We contacted the artist’s representative to obtain information on the appropriate color match. The existing surface was scarified and spray painted in situ using a color matched primer and TNEMEC paints of the highest color retention matched to the specified color in Dupont Imron, the artist’s original choice. The treatment exemplified how one can obtain an artist’s intent in painted outdoor sculpture, while improving on his materials. This must be done in partnership with an artist’s fabricator, estate, or foundation.